Peggy Cranford

Peggy Carrigan Cranford, age 81, entered into her celebration of eternal life on January 17, 2010. She was born in McDowell County to the late John Downs Carrigan and Maleta Webb Carrigan. She grew up in the Cross Mill community and was blessed with a wonderful Christian home. She was one of seven children who were fortunate to truly understand the meaning of family. She married Charles Franklin Cranford, Jr. and had two daughters, Melissa Cranford Burleson and Amanda Cranford Thompson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Boyce and Syd Carrigan, and sister, Murriel Deal.

Peggy considered her life’s greatest accomplishment to be her two daughters, Melissa and Amanda. She was a very talented and creative woman who always did an excellent job at whatever she pursued. She will be remembered for her beautiful needlepoint, knitting and Chrismon ornaments. She always had some kind of craft project in the making and in her last few years created some beautiful handmade bead jewelry. In addition to her personal interests, she was very much involved in community activities such as the Pilot Club of Marion and Charlotte, NC. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She was a former employee of The McDowell Hospital.

Currently, she had been living at The Carillon Assisted Living Center in Harrisburg, NC. Her faith in the Lord guided her daily as she lived with failing health. The family takes comfort in the thought that all her pain and suffering is now over and she is in the presence of her heavenly Father to whom she worshipped.

Peggy is survived by her daughters, Amanda Thompson and husband, Bradley, of Kannapolis, NC, and Melissa Burleson and husband, Dennis, of Marion, NC; grandsons, Ryan Burleson and wife, Jennifer, of Marion, NC, and Ellison Thompson, of Kannapolis, NC; granddaughter, Sallie Katherine Thompson, a student at the University of Georgia; great-grandchildren, Elisah Aidan and Sylvie Reid Burleson, of Marion, NC; sisters, Janna Baker and husband, Hal, of Marion, NC, Betsy Rhom and husband, Donald, of Shelby, NC, and Margaret D’Angelos, of Jacksonville, FL; and many special nieces and nephews.

A private family service was held upon her passing. Memorials may be made to Chandlers Grove United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women / Chrismon Tree Fund, 618 Badin Lake Road, New London, NC 28127.

Peggy took much joy in helping to create and craft ornaments for the Chrismon tree at Chandlers Grove UMC. She also enjoyed giving her beautiful ornaments made of gold beads, pearls and crystals to family, friends and other churches. Her handmade ornaments that proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ have been shared with many from the neighbor down the street to a church in Cape Town, South Africa.

Grateful thanks to The Carillon Assisted Living Center of Harrisburg, Fourth Floor Nursing and Critical Care at CMC NorthEast, Copperfield Internal Medicine and Hospice for the excellent care and compassion.

Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.